Disclaimer: I don't own nothing save the OC's so don't sue, its all the property of CBS and whatnot.
Chapter 7: Better Believe It
Charlie gently laid down his duffle back onto the floor by the
kitchen counter, the riot was still going strong in the living room. The crowd of people had broken off into smaller groups. Amita and Megan were arguing in one corner, while David, Larry, and Colby were yelling at each other in another, in the center of the room were Alan and Don, trying to out yell each other over the din. In the kitchen, Charlie set about rummaging through the fridge for the fixings of a bagel and smear. With an expert hand, Charlie cut the bagel into two perfect halves and placed them in to toaster, while he sipped some coffee from the coffee maker, he heard Don's voice rise over everyone else's.
" EVERYBODY FREEZE!". Yelled Don, the room went silent and all eyes fell on the FBI Agent.
Don took a moment to calm himself before he spoke.
" Who delivered the letter?" He asked.
" Some guy named Tobias Finch." Said Amita.
" What did he look like?" Asked Don.
" He was blonde, blue eyes, to think of it, he looked like you guys." Answered Amita as she gestured towards the FBI agents in the room.
Don was about to say something when a small chime was heard behind him, the toaster in the kitchen.
" Don what… Megan trailed off as Don strode past her towards the dinning room, pulling out his gun and disappearing behind the wall. Then they heard his voice ring out.
" FBI don't…. Don's voice died in his throat as he felt his heart stop cold. Megan, David, and Colby came running.
" Don what… Megan's voice trailed off when her gaze fell on the kitchen, she too felt herself go numb, beside her, David and Colby both looked dumbstruck. Alan, Larry, and Amita also joined the crowd now forming at the threshold of the kitchen. Don thought his eyes were playing tricks on him because sitting there at the kitchen counter was his baby brother, who had been MIA for the past three months, calmly applying a liberal amount of cream cheese onto a toasted bagel. His face was somewhat obscured by a mass of unruly curls. Don felt his heart spring back to life when Charlie looked up and stared back at him with those near black eyes, bright and full of light.
" Is it a crime to eat some breakfast in my own house big brother?" Asked Charlie managing to keep the anxiety out of his voice as he stared back at his shell shocked brother.
Don continued to stare at his brother but his body seemed to have a mind of its own. Charlie made his way around the counter slowly and met his brother halfway. The two brothers stood face to face, simply staring at each other, well, Don more like gawking at Charlie.
" Ch-Charlie?" Whispered Don, still not believing his eyes. Charlie slowly reached out to Don, his right hand coming to rest over the older Epps brother's heart.
" Don." He said in a slightly gruff voice.
Charlie felt all the air rush out of his lungs as Don all but tackled him into a vice like hug. Charlie wrapped his arms around his brother's middle, hoping he would never have to let go. The six other people in the house snapped out of there collective trance and rushed into the kitchen, surrounding the two brothers. In that moment, Charlie could've cared less of the burden on his soul, in that moment, it didn't matter that he secretly had the blood of many men on his hands, in that moment, all that mattered was that he was finally home, and surrounded by those he'd left behind and come back to in one piece. He was home.
But what would happen the next time he'd have to answer the Call Of Duty?